Shania with Allison Krauss and Union Station

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 14 Dec 2004 7:13 pm

Shania is a bonafide international crossover star; Allison and US's market is much smaller. I imagine that, when Shania signed on to do the show, she and Mutt saw to it that it was done on THEIR terms. I don't blame them- I'd watch out for my own interests, too.

I also expect that Allison and US were honored to be on the bill. It's great exposure for them. While they may be revered by bluegrass and traditional country people, I expect they would like to cut a wider swath.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 14 Dec 2004 11:21 pm

I suspect that they were well paid for doing the gig with Shania.
Shania has paid a lot of dues since she was very young. I'm from Timmins also, (Porkupine, which is now part of Timmins)and I played the same toilets she worked up from. She is also very original. (So is Allison)

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 17 Dec 2004 2:21 pm

I understand how everyone likes Allison Krauss. She sings fastastic and has wonderful musicians. Unfortunately, a lot of the time that and $1.50 gets you a cup of coffee. However, I think Shania is terrific. Her first album has cool tunes like "Any Man Of Mine", "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under", and "If You're Not In It For Love", all with very unique arrangements and astounding production. In many ways, Shania's production is far more original that Allison's. Also, the huge cross market appeal only helps steel players. I don't understand how us bashing a good performer like Shania who has consistently over the years used steel in much of her productions helps our cause. This seems to be a repeating theme. The performers that most put the steel in the public eye (Randolph, Shania, etc,) are the ones most criticized by us steel players.

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Jeff's Jazz

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 17 Dec 2004 2:41 pm

Robert Randolph is another star that doesn't look like Minnie Pearl or sing like Kitty Wells, again to the detriment of his career here in Forumland.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 Dec 2004 2:03 am

Not trashing Shania, just likin' Alison more.
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 18 December 2004 at 04:22 AM.]

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 18 Dec 2004 6:08 am

The performers that most put the steel in the public eye (Randolph, Shania, etc,) are the ones most criticized by us steel players.

Jeff, I'm sure if either added "A Way To Survive" to their repertoires, the tide of Forum Opinion would turn in a heartbeat.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 18 Dec 2004 8:10 am

David, you said good things about Shania and are about as open-minded as anyone. However, there were seveal others who were critical of her. Listen, everyone is certainly entitled to dislike anyone they choose. I'm just saying that some of these performers actually do a lot for the visibility of the steel. Just a little perspective, that's all. One thing about Shania's tunes that not everyone relates to is that they are "fun" tunes. She doesn't tend to have emotional or serious messages, but rather a light and fun style. There is a tremendous emphasis on the production, but not in a way to disguise her voice. Rather, the production has very inventive, exciting touches that you don't find in any kind of pop music. I give her and Lange tremendous credit for NOT following the typical path but rather taking chances with how they deliver Shania's sound. Everyone should listen to the song "If You're Not In It For Love". IMO, it is an absolutely fabulous song with amazing arrangement flourishes and is completely unclassifiable. Bluesy, country, pop, whatever. I will admit that I think her first albun and earliest stuff was the best.

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Jeff's Jazz

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 18 Dec 2004 2:11 pm

I like "You Win My Love". It's probably my favorite of her songs. Nice lyrical hook, musically interesting and good singing.

Rick

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 18 Dec 2004 3:36 pm

My favorite Shania song was co-written by my friend Billy Graham, of Nashville and Brownwood TX, entitled "There Goes the Neighborhood." Great country song.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 18 Dec 2004 6:01 pm

Just as the country purists don't care much for Shania, a lot of hardcore 'grassers don't listen to Alison. I like to hear her get her teeth into something, like the old Bad Company song, "Oh Atlanta." But after about six or seven of those "my man left" songs, and I wanna hear Larry Sparks kick one.
BTW, why do we need this thread, which is turning into a Shania vs. Alison beauty contest, or the thread about the sexy women of country music?

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 18 Dec 2004 9:19 pm

Here's a ditto for the "Oh Atlanta" comment. I think Allison is fantastic, but I do wish she'd get a little dirtier now and again.

-Travis

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 19 Dec 2004 1:16 am

Stephen, when men stop looking at women...
they are dead...
it's in our basic physiologic/gender make up, like it or not.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 19 December 2004 at 01:17 AM.]

Bob Wood · Post by **Bob Wood** » 19 Dec 2004 10:41 pm

Hey? Is it just me, or does Allison seem to get more beautiful as she gets older??

Bob

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 20 Dec 2004 1:08 am

Stephen: How many ugly girls do you see on CMT these days? Unfortunate reality.
The original thread was about disappointment (mine) that the "Up Close" show lacked any Union Station covers by Shania, or Allison Krauss singing lead on any Shania songs. Not really a living room jam show, but a very slick production. Maybe it was just not feasible.
Lefty

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 20 Dec 2004 4:22 am

Just had a funny thought, when you mentioned covering each other's songs. Can you imagine Allison Krauss singing That Don't Impress Me Much, or Shania singing Down in the River to Pray?

I think the results would be cringeworthy, but also fascinating...

-Travis

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 20 Dec 2004 6:22 am

Lefty, I got the gist of your original post, and I thought it was bizarre when I saw the show, that AKUS was just gonna be the backup thread. Wasn't that your point? Now we're talking about who looks better, and Alison's integrity??? Alison has a sweetheart of a deal with Ken Irwin at Rounder records, Jerry Douglas gets good billing, and Shania's married to one of the best producers in the world. And yes, I know that sex sells. But Alison, who dresses somewhat demurely, is outselling Rhonda Vincent, who'll show off her belly button in a minute! And there are women who are less attractive than Alison, who'll never see the inside of a hit record, because they don't have that "face" appeal that Alison does.
Now, who's more talented? Alison plays fiddle, and Shania strums a guitar. Shania writes, Alison doesn't. Shania dances around, Alison stands still...

I'll let you guys decide.

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 20 Dec 2004 2:27 pm

Now, who's more talented? Alison plays fiddle, and Shania strums a guitar. Shania writes, Alison doesn't. Shania dances around, Alison stands still...

Alison has 18 grammy's, more than any woman and more than anyone in country music. Shania has 3.

David Yannuzzi · Post by **David Yannuzzi** » 20 Dec 2004 5:15 pm

My understanding is that Alison Krauss writes,Arranges and produces.She is also a amazing singer,fidder and all around musican

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 20 Dec 2004 6:12 pm

"Just had a funny thought, when you mentioned covering each other's songs. Can you imagine Allison Krauss singing That Don't Impress Me Much, or Shania singing Down in the River to Pray?

I think the results would be cringeworthy, but also fascinating..."

It sounds like you know what they're going to sound like before it's even happened.

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Artie McEwan

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 Dec 2004 5:00 am

18 grammy's
And one of the workingest studio musicians too,
She sings back up harmonies and fiddle parts on a lot of rockier projects.

Alison could sing most anything she wanted to and t do it right.
She can sing lead,
and the hamonies for major artists in the studio,
and sing bluegrass live with or without mics,

So she can sing anything in her vocal range.. which is pretty wide.

Shania singing some of Alisons harder parts might be questionable,
but I doubt cringworthy...

hmm a new coinage.

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 21 Dec 2004 6:17 pm

Both ladies have disticntive voices, Alison being more distictive.
I enjoyed hearing Alison and the band do backup vocals, a very good job. I thought the arrangements were really full considering they were all acoustical as compared to the originals. The last Shania album was pretty unique having two discs with different versions of each song, one using country or bluegrass instruments. I liked both, but got to have some fiddle, steel, banjo, dobro and guitar.
Lefty

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 21 Dec 2004 9:01 pm

"Alison has 18 grammy's, more than any woman and more than anyone in country music. Shania has 3."

And Eminem had NINE Grammy's after his first three albums???????

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 Dec 2004 11:33 pm

Yes, but for Emmenem the bar ain't raised as high...

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 22 Dec 2004 3:07 am

And Eminem had NINE Grammy's after his first three albums???????

Lets see him do it by playing obscure noncommercial acoustic music on an independent label.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 22 Dec 2004 8:32 am

Alison's music is so good, I'm sincerely
surprised she's won any awards at all.